Support unit for forming a temporary roadway

ABSTRACT

A support unit ( 10 ) is connectable together with similar such units to form a temporary roadway. A plurality of upwardly extending and tapering recesses ( 18 ) are provided on a lower surface ( 20 ) of the support unit ( 10 ) to provide engagement with the ground. Locking arrangements and respective flanges and corresponding recesses are provided on the sides of the support units ( 10 ), for interconnecting adjacent such units ( 10 ).

This invention concerns a support component, and particularly a supportcomponent connectable to similar components to form a temporary roadway,and also a roadway made up of such components.

Temporary roadways are required in a number of situations. For instancethese may be required in a construction project, and particularly wheninstalling a large product such as a wind turbine or the like, whichfollowing construction will not require heavy duty road access thereto.A temporary roadway can therefore prevent the requirement ofconstructing a conventional permanent roadway or other access.

A number of temporary roadways have already been proposed. Metal systemshave been used, but these often require the installation of security, orrequire securing to avoid potential theft of the metal roadway for scrapvalue. Arrangements using plastics materials have been proposed, butthese are often proved extremely heavy and/or liable to water ingressmeaning that once wet the products can be very heavy.

According to the first aspect of the invention there is provided asupport component connectable to similar components to form a temporaryroadway, the support component including a plurality of recessesprovided in the underside in use thereof to provide engagement with theground, which recesses taper inwardly in an upwards direction, with aplurality of connection arrangements being provided for selectivelyconnecting the support component to adjacent such support components.

The recesses may extend over at least 30%, preferably more than 40%, 50%or 60%, of the surface area of the underside of the support component.

The recesses may be provided in a uniform pattern.

The recesses may comprise a first portion extending from the undersidewhich tapers at a first angle, and a second portion extending from thefirst portion at a second angle which is greater than the first angle.

The first angle may be between 5° and 20°, may be between 5° and 15°,may be between 8° and 12° and may be substantially 10°. The second anglemay be between 30 and 60°, may be between 35 and 50°, may be between 40and 50°, may be between 43 and 47°, and may be substantially 44.35°.

The recesses may extend for between 60 and 95%, may be between 70 and90%, 80 and 90%, 85 and 90% and may be substantially 88.2%, of the depthof the tile.

The tile may be between 50 and 150 mm thick, may be between 50 and 100mm thick, may be between 70 and 80 mm thick, and may be substantially 75mm thick.

The recesses may be at least generally square in plan view. The secondtaper may have an at least generally square in plan view configuration,and may be axially offset relative to the first taper, and may be offsetby substantially 45°.

Formations may be provided on the upper surface of the support componentto enhance grip.

A plurality of locking arrangements for retaining connected adjacentsupport components together may be provided. The locking arrangementsmay be arranged to be selectively movable between locked and unlockedconditions, and may be arranged to urge adjacent support componentstogether when moving to the locked condition.

The locking arrangements may include one or more male units with arotatable member on a support component, rotatingly engageable withfemale units on adjacent support components. The female units maycomprise cam surfaces such that as a rotatable member on a male unitengages therewith and is rotated, this urges together the respectivesupport components.

The rotatable member may comprise a head with a stem extendingtherefrom, and a crossbar extending from the end of the stem spaced fromthe head. A formation may be provided on the head which can be engagedby a tool to permit rotation of the rotatable member relative to arespective support component.

The female units may include an elongate opening through which therotatable member crossbar can pass when in a parallel alignment, withthe crossbar engaging against the female unit cam surfaces when rotatedfrom a parallel alignment after passing through the elongate opening.

The male units may be made of a plastics material such as for examplenylon, and may include an inner metal reinforcement. The female unitsmay be made of a plastics material such as for example nylon.

The support component may be at least generally rectangular in plan viewand may have one longer pair of sides and one pair of shorter sides. Thelonger sides may be between 30 and 70% longer than the shorter sides,and may be substantially 50% longer.

A main flange may be provided extending along a one of the sides of thesupport component, and a corresponding main recess may be provided byextending along the opposite side of the support component. The recessmay be dimensioned so as to receive a main flange on an adjacent supportcomponent, such that the adjacent components extend at least generallycoplanar to each other.

The main flanges and recesses may be provided on the longer pair ofsides of the support component.

The male units may be provided on the main flanges, with the femaleunits provided on the main recesses.

Minor flanges and respective recesses may be provided on the other sidesof the support component.

Formations may be provided on or adjacent to the minor flanges and minorrecesses to permit adjacent support components to be mounted together.The formations may comprise recesses, and one or more openings may beprovided through the recesses.

Lifting attachments may be provided on the support component. Thelifting attachments may comprise formations mountable in openings in thesupport component. The lifting attachments may be provided adjacentcorners of the support component. The lifting formations may be made ofmetal.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided atemporary roadway, the roadway comprising a plurality of supportcomponents according to any of the preceding twenty one paragraphs,connected together.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a supportcomponent according to the invention, with areas of increased detail;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the component ofFIG. 1, with areas of increased detail;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view from above of the component of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view along the line A to Aof FIG. 3, with areas of increased detail;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view from above of thecomponent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above showing twocomponents as shown in FIG. 1 being mounted together;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view showing two components as shown inFIG. 1 being connected together;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of two components as shown in FIG. 1connected together with a third component being connected thereto;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are sequential perspective views from above of parts oftwo components as shown in FIG. 1 being connected together;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views from beneath of the parts shownin FIGS. 10 and 11 being connected together, and correspond respectivelyto the positions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic exploded view of one of the parts shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view from beneath of a section ofthe component of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of a smaller part of thecomponent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of a feature of thecomponent of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic cross sectional side view of the feature ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side view of the feature of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of the feature ofFIG. 17; and

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the feature ofFIG. 17;

The drawings show a support unit 10 connectable together with similarsuch units to form a temporary roadway. The units 10 may be made fromany suitable materials such as a plastics material which could be highdensity polyethylene.

The support units has a generally rectangular configuration, and in thisexample have a pair of longer sides 12 which are 3 m long, and a pair ofshorter sides 14 which are 2 m long. The support member 10 provides anupper support surface 16 which may be provided with a plurality ofprojections or other formations or finishes to enhance grip. A pluralityof upwardly extending and tapering recesses 18 are provided on a lowersurface 20 of the support unit 10 as will be hereinafter described.

A one of the longer sides 12 has a flange 26 extending along the lengththereof whilst the other of the longer sides 12 provides a recess 28.The recess 28 is of a size to receive the flange 26 on an adjacent suchunit 10 such that adjacent support units 10 will be substantiallycoplanar.

Five locking arrangements 30 are provided along the longer sides 12 withfive male units 32 provided on the flange 26 and five correspondingfemale units 34 on the recess 28. Five spaced openings 36 are providedin the recess 28 to each receive a female unit 34. The female units 34have a square base 38 with an upstanding circular portion 30 which is asliding fit in the openings 36. Openings 42 are provided near eachcorner of the base 38 to permit mounting by screws or otherwise to theunderside of the recess 28. The circular portion 42 has a diametricallyextending opening 44 which has a wider central portion 46. Sloped faces48 provide arcuate downwardly facing cam surfaces 50.

The male units 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 14, comprise a head part52 with an upstanding hexagonal shaped projection 54 which can beengaged by an appropriate tool. A metal reinforcement 56 is embedded inthe head part 52, and the reinforcement 56 comprises a planar head 58wholly located in the head part 52 with a shaft 60 extending therefromand downwardly from the head part 52 as shown in FIG. 14.

On the underside of the head part 52 as shown in FIG. 14, an upstandingcircular castellated formation 62 is provided with smaller and largerrecesses 64, 66. The male units 32 also includes a second part 68 with acentral circular section 70 which has a castellated circular formation72 which faces towards the castellated formation 62 and is engageabletherewith with smaller and larger projections 74, 76 engageablerespectively in the recesses 66, 68.

A central opening 78 is provided through the formation 72 through whichthe shaft 60 is extendible. At least the distal end of the shaft 60 isthreaded and a washer 80 can fit thereover engageable against theunderside of the section 70, with the male unit being held together by anut 82 engaging on the threaded shaft 60.

The second part 68 also comprises a cross piece 84 extending radially onopposite sides of the central circular section 70. A profiled metalreinforcement 86 is provided within the second part 68 extending acrossthe cross piece 84 with a through hole to receive the shaft 60.

Five circular recesses 88 are provided in the flange 26 in positionscorresponding to the openings 36. A smaller central hole 90 is providedthrough each of the recesses 88. The male units 32 can be fittedtogether with the head part 52 located in the respected recess 88, withthe formations 62, 72 and shaft 60 extending through the hole 90.

A smaller flange 92 and corresponding recess 94 are providedrespectively along the shorter sides 14. Three elongate recesses 96 areprovided in the upper support surface 16 adjacent the smaller flange 92and three corresponding elongate recesses 98 are provided in the uppersupport surface 16 adjacent each of the smaller recesses 94. Therecesses 96, 98 extend parallel to the longer sides 12. The recesses 96which extend over the top of the flange 92 are longer than the recesses98 which extend adjacent to the recess 94.

Two mounting holes 100 are provided in the recesses 96 extending overthe flanges 92, whilst one mounting hole 100 is provided in the recesses98. A trapped nut 101 may be provided immediately below the holes 100. Aplurality of straps 102 are provided which are sliding fits in therecesses 96, 98, and can wholly locate in the recesses 96 when notrequired. A pair of holes 104 are provided in the straps 102, withspacing corresponding in position to the holes 100 in the recesses 96when not in use. To connect adjacent units 10, the holes 104 can belocated over the outer mounting holes 100 in the recess 96, and themounting holes 100 in the recess 98. Bolts (not shown) are provided forretaining the straps 102 in position.

Profiled openings 106 are provided adjacent each corner of the supportunit. Each opening 106 comprises a relatively narrow entry leading to awider part, and to a further distal narrower part. The profiled openings106 can receive metal lifting members 108 which are profiled to locatein the openings 106 and with a cross member 110 extending across thewider part of the openings 106 to which a line means can be connected.

As indicated a plurality of recesses 18 are provided in the underside ofthe support unit 10. The recesses 18 have a generally square profile andhave a first portion 112 which tapers inwardly upwards at an angle of10° and extends for 47.63 mm. A second tapering portion 114 extends fromthe first portion 112. The second portion 114 is again of a square crosssection but is rotated through 45° relative to the first portion. Thesecond portion 114 tapers at 44.35° for a further 18.52 mm. Thesedimensions are for a unit 10 which is 75 mm thick.

In use, adjacent support units 10 can be mounted together by therespective male units 32 engaging with the female units 34. Wheninitially engaged this provides a loose fit between adjacent units 10which can be important, and can be particularly so on uneven groundwhere it is not possible to accurately align adjacent units 10.

The locking arrangements 30 can then be moved to a closed position byrotating the male units 32 such that the cross piece 84 engages againstthe cam surfaces 50 progressively urging the two support units 10 closertogether. A lip may be provided towards the end of the cam surfaces 50such that when the cross piece 84 moves therepast this retains thelocking arrangements 30 in a locked condition.

With the support units 10 mounted together along their longer sides 12this may provide a temporary roadway of required width. It may though berequired to mount further support units 10 to the side to provide anincreased width roadway or a particular location. In this instance withthe respective smaller flanges 92 engaging in the respective smallerrecesses 94, the support units 10 can be held together by the straps 102being mounted extending across adjacent support units 10, and engagingin the respective recesses 96, 98.

There are thus described support units for forming a temporary roadway,and a temporary roadway formed from such support units. The recesses 18provide good grip on underlying ground, but their tapering profile hasbeen found to provide sinkage to a certain degree only in the ground,and thereafter further material cannot enter the recesses 18 therebyretaining the support units 10 in a required position at a requiredheight relative to the surrounding ground.

As noted the fact that the locking arrangements can be interconnected ina relatively loose condition and then fully tightened, means thatadjacent support units 10 can readily be interconnected even on unevenground. The lifting members 108 permit the units 10 to be mechanicallymoved, or handled using appropriate tools engaging with the liftingmembers.

It is to be realised that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For instance differentlocking arrangements could be provided, and arrangements other thanstraps described above could be used. The recesses in the underside ofthe support units could take a different form. The support units may bea different size.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1-64. (canceled)
 65. A support component, comprising: a support unithaving an underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pair ofsides, and a plurality of connection arrangements; the first pair ofsides comprising a first side and a second side, the first side and thesecond side being positioned opposite each other on the support unit,the second pair of sides comprising a third side and a fourth side, thethird side and the fourth side being positioned opposite each other onthe support unit, the plurality of connection arrangements beingpositioned on at least one of the first side, the second side, the thirdside, and the fourth side; the underside surface comprising a pluralityof recesses are engageable with a ground surface and the plurality ofrecesses tapering inwardly into the support unit in an upward direction.66. The support component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of recesseseach comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portionextending from the underside surface at a first angle, the secondportion extending from the first portion at a second angle, the secondangle being greater than the first angle.
 67. The support component ofclaim 66, wherein the second portion is axially offset relative to thefirst portion.
 68. The support component of claim 65, wherein theplurality of recesses are substantially square in plan view.
 69. Thesupport component of claim 65, wherein the plurality of recesses eachhave a closed top surface.
 70. The support component of claim 65,wherein the plurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support unit intothe ground surface when material from the ground surface enters theplurality of recesses.
 71. A support component, comprising: a supportunit having an underside surface, a first pair of sides, a second pairof sides, and a first plurality of connection arrangements, the firstplurality of connection arrangements each comprising a cam surface, theunderside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable with aground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into thesupport unit in an upward direction; wherein a second plurality ofconnection arrangements on a second support unit is engageable with thefirst plurality of connection arrangements to urge together the supportunit and the second support unit.
 72. The support component of claim 71,wherein the plurality of recesses each comprise a first portion and asecond portion, the first portion extending from the underside surfaceat a first angle, the second portion extending from the first portion ata second angle, the second angle being greater than the first angle. 73.The support component of claim 71, wherein the plurality of recesseseach have a closed top surface.
 74. The support component of claim 71,wherein the plurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support unit intothe ground surface when material from the ground surface enters theplurality of recesses.
 75. The support component of claim 71, whereinthe first plurality of connection arrangements are positioned along atleast one side of the support unit.
 76. The support component of claim71, wherein each of the second plurality of connection arrangements isrotatable relative to each of the first plurality of connectionarrangements to connect the first plurality of connection arrangementsto the second plurality of connection arrangements.
 77. The supportcomponent of claim 71, wherein the second plurality of connectionarrangements is insertable into the first plurality of connectionarrangements.
 78. The support component of claim 71, wherein each of thefirst plurality of connection arrangements comprises a diametricallyextending opening, wherein a portion of each of the second plurality ofconnection arrangements is insertable into the diametrically extendingopening.
 79. A support component, comprising: an underside surface, theunderside surface comprising a plurality of recesses engageable with aground surface, the plurality of recesses tapering inwardly into thesupport component in an upward direction; a first pair of opposingsides, the first pair of opposing sides comprising a first plurality ofconnection arrangements, the first plurality of connection arrangementseach comprising a cam surface, wherein a second plurality of connectionarrangements on a second support component is engageable with the firstplurality of connection arrangements to urge together the supportcomponent and the second support component; a second pair of opposingsides, the second pair of opposing sides comprising at least one recess,the at least one recess comprising at least one mounting hole, the atleast one mounting hole containing a trapped nut.
 80. The supportcomponent of claim 79, wherein the plurality of recesses each have aclosed top surface.
 81. The support component of claim 79, wherein theplurality of recesses limit sinkage of the support component into theground surface when material from the ground surface enters theplurality of recesses.
 82. The support component of claim 79, furthercomprising at least one strap positioned in the at least one recess. 83.The support component of claim 82, wherein the at least one strapcomprises at least one hole aligned with the at least one mounting holeof the at least one recess.
 84. The support component of claim 82,wherein the at least one strap is connectable to a recess in the secondsupport component.